they explained through the Griquas, who could speak
their language, that they had come from the greatest of all monarchs in
the world, Moselekatsee, who wished to know who the strangers were, what
they wanted of him, and what presents they had brought.

Swinton, who was spokesman, returned for answer that they were hunters,
and not traders; that they had come to see the wonders of the country
belonging to so great a monarch, and that hearing that his majesty had
animals in his country which were not to be found elsewhere, they wanted
permission to kill some, to show upon their return to their own people
what a wonderful country it was that belonged to so great a
monarch;--that they had brought beads and copper wire, and knives, and
boxes for making fire, and snuff and tobacco, all of which they wished
to present to the great monarch; a part as soon as they had received
his permission to enter his territory, and another part when they were
about to leave it. A handsome present of the above articles was then
produced, and the messengers of the king, having surveyed the articles
with some astonishment, declared that their king would feel very glad
when he saw all these things, and that he had desired them to tell our
travelers that they might come into his dominions with safety, and kill
all the animals that they pleased. That his majesty had commanded one of
them to remain with the party, and that as soon as he had received his
presents, he would send a chief to be answerable for their safety. The
Matabili then packed up the articles presented, and two of them set off
at full speed on their return to the king. The third, who remained,
assured our travelers that they might cross the river and enter the
Matabili country as soon as they pleased.

A debate now ensued as to whether they should go with their whole force
or not. The Matabili had informed them that in three days' journey they
would fall in with the giraffe, which they were in search of, and as
there would be some risk in crossing the river, and they had every
reason to expect that it would soon rise, the question was whether it
would be prudent to take over even one of the wagons. The opinion of the
Griquas was asked, and it was ultimately arranged that they should take
over Alexander's wagon only, with fifteen pair of oxen, and that some of
the Griquas should accompany them, with Swanevelt, Omrah, and
Mahomed;--that Bremen and the Hottentots should remain where